Geely's Zeekr and Waymo team up to create robotaxi

Geely-owned Zeekr has confirmed it will partner Alphabet's Waymo to develop an autonomous ride-hailing vehicle.

Releasing three pictures of the advanced pure-electric people-mover that it is developing for Waymo, Geely has confirmed that work is already underway on the unnamed Zeekr model at its China Europe Vehicle Technology Centre (CEVT) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Said to use a "new proprietary and open-source mobility architecture", the new robotaxi is believed to be based on Geely's latest SEA architecture that will soon migrate to small battery-electric Volvo models.

Claimed to harness the power of Waymo-developed LiDAR, cameras, radar and computer processors that are designed to virtually map its surroundings, the Zeekr-developed robotaxi will benefit from millions of kilometres of real-world testing that has already been carried out on public roads in 13 US states.

When it arrives, the driverless people-mover will be offered with the choice of traditional driver controls or none at all, and will boast a cabin that offers unrivalled levels of configuration.

Despite posting digital renders of the vehicle both Zeekr and Waymo have been cagey about releasing any technical details or timelines of when the robotaxi will enter service.

Zeekr CEO Andy An said: "Zeekr was born on the ideals of equality, diversity, and sustainability. By becoming a strategic partner and vehicle supplier to the Waymo One fleet, we will be able to share our experience, ideals and provide our expertise in collaborating on a fully electric vehicle that fits Waymo’s requirements for this rapidly expanding segment in the global market for sustainable travel."

Zeekr was only launched earlier this year with its first car, the Zeekr 001 shooting brake.

Created to rival BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the pure-electric premium brand joins Geely's growing stable that includes Volvo, Polestar, Proton, Lotus and Lynk & Co.

Alphabet, which also owns Google, says its new relationship with Zeekr will not affect a similar partnership with Stellantis.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Waymo currently uses fleets of the pure-electric Jaguar I-PACE and the hybrid Chrysler Pacifica mini-van to develop its driverless tech.